Inter Milan face AC Milan aiming to extend lead at the top of Serie A table

Inter are coming into the Milan derby on the back of a 2-1 win against Venezia while Milan were held to a goalless draw against Juventus in the previous game.

AC Milan's training session ahead of the Serie A match against Inter Milan on Saturday; Credit: Twitter/@acmilan
By Sreejith C R | Feb 5, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Inter Milan will take on AC Milan in the Serie A fixture at San Siro on Saturday aiming to extend their lead at the top of the points table. Inter are coming into the Milan derby on the back of a 2-1 win against Venezia while Milan were held to a goalless draw against Juventus. Inter can establish a seven-point lead over Milan with a win on Saturday. This weekend’s 230th staging of the Milan derby brings together two sides heading in different directions since they last met, as Inter leapfrogged their city rivals in the League table becoming favourites to retain the Scudetto.

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Eden Dzeko scored a last-minute winner as Inter came-from-behind to secure all three points against Venezia. The win helped Inter take a four-point lead over both Napoli and Milan and also proved that Simone Inzaghi’s side could win even when not at their free-flowing best.

Nerazzurri are now unbeaten in 28 home games in Serie A, winning 25 times during that spectacular spell, with their last league loss at the Meazza coming in 2020 to none other than Milan. Inter’s strong point has been their defense, which has kept seven clean sheets in their last nine league games. 

On the other hand, Milan has been inconsistent. In the last seven league games since losing to Liverpool in November, Stefano Pioli’s side has won just three of those fixtures. Their most recent setback came with a shock home defeat against lowly Spezia. Meanwhile a victory in the Milan derby would take Pioli’s side to just one point behind the leaders. 

Team news

Inter have a strong squad with not many injuries. Joaquin Correa and Robin Gosens are the only absentees as they continue to recover from their thigh injuries. Meanwhile Lautaro Martinez and Alexis Sanchez have been in South America taking part in Qatar 2022 qualifiers. Recent arrival Felipe Caicedo is likely to partner Eden Dzeko up front.

Inzaghi’s side should line up in their 3-5-2 formation with Stefan de Vrij, Milan Skriniar and Alessandro Bastoni forming the three-man backline in front of goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Denzel Dumfries and Ivan Perisic are likely to occupy the wings with Nicolo Barella, Brozovic and Hakan Calhanoglu forming the three-man midfield.

On the other hand, Milan also don’t have too many injury issues. Fikayo Tomori and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have joined long-term absentee Simon Kjaer on the sidelines. Ibrahimovic limped off during the Rossoneri’s last game due to Achilles problem therefore Olivier Giroud could be required to lead the line. Franck Kessie has returned from Africa Cup of NationsÂ